Australian Open 2015 Day 9 Predictions & Betting Tips

Day 9 – There are few more exciting days than the quarterfinals of a major tennis tournament. We expect enthusiastic crowds and upsets on Day 9.

Eugenie Bouchard (3) vs. Maria Sharapova (4/11)

This may be the match of the day that marks the shifting landscape of women’s tennis. Sharapova, the second seed, can bother the most focused player and that is the biggest challenge for the young Canadian. The players have similar power but if it comes to foot speed, Bouchard moves like a butterfly and stings like a mad hornet. I look for an exciting match with Sharapova screeching ridiculously while getting upset. There will be a changing of the guard in the Women’s tour this season and Bouchard will move up and Sharapova down.

Ekaterina Makarova (5/2) vs. Simona Halep (4/11)

The 5 foot 11 inch Makarova only registered one ace against German Julia Goerges in the 16’s and will need to do better than that against the 5 foot 6 inch 3 seed, Simona Halep. We picked Halep to go all the way and we are still all in on the 23-year old Romanian star. But, Ekaterina has game and is a tough match for anyone. Having reached the semis at the US Open and the quarters at Wimbledon, Makarova is a rising 10 seed with top five potential. Halep will not be intimidated by pace and has the legs to make the Russian strike an extra ball or two. This may go three but Simona moves on.    

Tomas Berdych (8/5) vs. Rafael Nadal (3/5)

Two gritty competitors with different styles will square off in a compelling quarterfinal. Nadal struggled in his second round match. Berdych has walked through, ousting local favorite Bernard Tomic and the crowd in three stirring sets. Prior to the tourney, Rafa said he did not expect to win the event and we should take him at his word. Although the Spaniard has looked in shape, Berdych is no slouch and playing like a top five player. With 17 aces against the young Aussie and a serve averaging more than 194 kmh, Tomas has an edge on serve and it should show up. It’s never easy to bet against a popular favorite but this time it is the right play.

Andy Murray (1/6) vs Nick Kyrgios (11/2)

It will be Murray’s turn to face the rising and hard-serving 19-year old Aussie star. The stands will be filled with noisy and chippy locals for this one. Murray’s left leg looked gimpy at times against another youngster, Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, the 10th seed in the Round of 16. But, Dimitrov may have been the perfect warmup for the Krygios match. Nick took out Federer conqueror Andreas Sepi in five in the 16s, coming back from down 2 sets to 1 to register the win. The grueling match may have taken a toll on the Aussie. Murray was far from smooth but still returns serve spectacularly and will put too much pressure on the lanky Australian. Murray smells opportunity and gets on with it in this one.